Structure for installing flexible liquid crystal display panel

ABSTRACT

A clearance groove for receiving a bend in a flexible liquid crystal display panel that is formed by folding a liquid crystal display panel mounting member is provided near the folding portion of the liquid crystal display panel mounting member, by which the bend is received in the clearance groove with a sufficient curvature when the liquid crystal display panel mounting member is folded; hence, it is possible to prevent the bend from damage and degradation even if the bending frequency of the flexible liquid crystal display panel increases.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure to ensure a predetermined curvature at a bend in aflexible liquid crystal display panel, thereby preventing the bend fromdamage and degradation.

BACKGROUND ART

A liquid crystal display device has been widely used for display withpersonal computers, TVs and so forth. Since this conventional liquidcrystal display device usually has a construction in which a liquidcrystal for displaying characters and the like is held between sheets ofhard glass, it cannot provide a display with bending.

Incidentally, portable electronic equipment, typified by portableinformation terminals called notebook personal computers, electronicnotebooks and PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), has its not-shown mainbody and lid coupled by hinge or similar means so that its entirestructure folds flat into two to comply with a request for reduction itssize and weight.

In the case of mounting the conventional liquid crystal display deviceon the portable electronic equipment of such a construction, separateliquid crystal display devices are mounted on the main body and the lid,respectively, and the both devices are interconnected by predeterminedsignal lines to form a single large display screen with the main bodyand the lid opened. Such technical means is disclosed, for example, inJP-A-5/298257, JP-U-5/43218, and JP-A-8/248895.

The reason for the formation of such a large display screen by mountinga liquid crystal display device on each of the main body and the coveris that one large liquid crystal display device cannot be mounted on theportable electronic equipment across its folding portion since theliquid crystal display device cannot be bent as referred to above. As aresult, display images are discontinuous at the folding portion andhence are hard to see; thus, there has been a demand for the developmentof a liquid crystal display device that produce a display in itsentirety even if bent.

Under such circumstances, a liquid crystal display device capable ofproviding a display even if bent has recently been developed. Forexample, according to Nihon Keizai Shimbun dated May 26, 1997, it wasreported that a soft and freely bendable liquid crystal display devicelike a film had been developed by a research team at Kyushu University.

This liquid crystal display device has about the same hardness as thatof a photographic negative film and is applicable to a large-areadisplay device; it is considered to have a wide variety of applicationssuch as an advertising poster to be wrapped around a pole and a thininstrument board to be pasted on a windshield, and it is expected thatthis display device has wide application areas. More specifically, thisliquid crystal display device is made freely bendable by holding theliquid crystal between film-like, soft high molecular members in placeof sheets of hard glass.

Accordingly, a single large display screen, over which no display imagesare discontinuous, can now be realized by mounting such a liquid crystaldisplay device (hereinafter referred to as a “flexible liquid crystaldisplay panel”) on portable electronic equipment across its foldingportion as depicted in FIGS. 19 through 21.

FIG. 19 is a side view showing the state in which the flexible liquidcrystal display panel is mounted on conventional portable electronicequipment, FIG. 20 a side view showing the flexible liquid crystaldisplay panel when the portable electronic equipment is folded flat intotwo, and FIG. 21 an enlarged side view showing the bend in the flexibleliquid crystal display panel. In the drawings, reference numeral 11denotes a main body of the portable electronic equipment, 12 a lid, and13 a hinge or similar coupling means by which the lid 12 is openably andclosably coupled to the main body 11. Reference numeral 14 denotes aflexible liquid crystal display panel fixedly secured to the main body11 and the lid 12 over the entire their surface areas, and 14 a a bendthat forms near the coupling means 13 when the flexible liquid crystaldisplay panel 14 is folded. Incidentally, the bend 14 a and its vicinityof the flexible liquid crystal display panel 14 are not fixed to themain body 11 and the lid 12 so that they do not hinder the bending ofthe panel.

Reference character “d” denotes a gap defined between top and bottomflexible liquid crystal display panel portions 14 and 14 so as to enablethe bend 14 a to maintain a predetermined curvature when the lid 12 isclosed.

Since the conventional mounting structure for the flexible liquidcrystal display panel has such a construction as described above,minimization of the gap “d” is needed to meet the request forlow-profile, miniature portable electronic equipment; on the other hand,the reduction in the gap “d” decreases the curvature of the bend 14 a,too, giving rise to a problem that the bend 14 a becomes more likely tobe damaged and degraded with an increase in the frequency of opening andclosing of the lid 12, i.e. the frequency of folding and unfolding ofthe flexible liquid crystal display panel 14.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problemand has for its object to provide a flexible liquid crystal displaypanel mounting structure that is capable of preventing the bend in theflexible liquid crystal display panel from damage and degradation evenif its folding and unfolding frequency increases.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, a clearance groove for receiving thebend in the flexible liquid crystal display panel that is formed byfolding a liquid crystal display panel mounting member is provided nearthe folding portion of the liquid crystal display panel mounting member,by which the bend is received in the clearance groove with a sufficientcurvature when the liquid crystal display panel mounting member isfolded. With this structure, it is possible to prevent the bend fromdamage and degradation even if the bending frequency of the flexibleliquid crystal display panel increases.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, clearance groove isprovided so that its opposite end portions in its lengthwise directionare not exposed onto side surfaces of the liquid crystal display panelmounting member. This provides for enhanced appearance of the sidesurfaces of the liquid crystal display panel mounting member.

Moreover, according to the present invention, a stopper for keeping thebend in the flexible liquid crystal display panel from getting out ofthe clearance groove when the display panel is bent is provided on theliquid crystal display panel mounting member. This makes it possible tokeep the bend in the flexible liquid crystal display panel from gettingout of the clearance groove when the display panel is bent, enabling thebend to smoothly enter the clearance groove.

Besides, according to present invention, a stopper is provided whichcouples the bend in the flexible liquid crystal display panel and theclearance groove opposite thereto to prevent the bend from getting outof the clearance groove when the display panel is bent. This secures theappearance of the display screen and, at the same time, prevents thebend in the flexible liquid crystal display panel from getting out ofthe clearance groove when the display panel is bent, enabling the bendto smoothly enter the clearance groove.

In addition, according to the present invention, a stopper is providedin the clearance groove which keeps the bend in the flexible liquidcrystal display panel from getting out of the clearance groove when thedisplay panel is bent and which guides the bend into the clearancegroove while following the movement of the bend when it enters theclearance groove. This enables the bend to enter the clearance groovesurely and smoothly regardless of the extent to which the bend entersthe clearance groove.

Additionally, according to the present invention, a folding anglelimiting member is mounted on the liquid crystal display panel mountingmember to limit the folding angle of the liquid crystal display panelmounting member so that the included angle, which is formed between theflexible liquid crystal display panel members by the folding of theliquid crystal display panel mounting member, does not exceed 180degrees. This prevents breakage of the bend in the flexible liquidcrystal display panel by excessive opening of the liquid crystal displaypanel mounting member.

And, according to the present invention, the stopper is made of atransparent material. By this, it is possible to prevent that displayimages on the flexible liquid display panel are not discontinuous at theposition where the stopper is disposed.

Besides, according to the present invention, a warp preventive member isdisposed between the bend and the stopper. By this, it is possible tokeep the bend in the flexible liquid crystal display panel from warpingand hence prevent distortion of display images.

Moreover, according to the present invention, the stopper is formed by awire-like member. This permits reduction of the space where to providethe stopper.

In addition, according to the present invention, the stopper is formedby a plate-like member. This secures large strength than the stopperformed by a wire-like member.

Additionally, according to the present invention, a touch-sensitiveinput operating part through which data can be entered by touching isprovided as an integral part of the flexible liquid crystal displaypanel. This contributes to making the display screen large in a limitedspace.

Besides, according to the present invention, the clearance groove iscurved in section. This enables the bend in the flexible liquid crystaldisplay panel to smoothly enter the clearance groove and reduces theircontact friction, effectively preventing the bend from damage anddegradation by abrasion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting the open-up state of portableelectronic equipment using a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the closed state of the portableelectronic equipment using the flexible liquid crystal mountingstructure;

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure;

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view depicting the open-up state of portable electronicequipment using a flexible liquid crystal display panel mountingstructure according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged diagram showing a stopper;

FIG. 9 is a plan view depicting the flexible liquid display panelmounting structure;

FIG. 10 is a side view depicting the closed state of portable electronicequipment using the flexible liquid crystal display panel mountingstructure;

FIG. 11 is a side view depicting the open-up state of portableelectronic equipment using a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure;

FIG. 13 is a side view depicting the closed state of the portableelectronic equipment using the flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure;

FIG. 14 is a side view depicting the open-up state of portableelectronic equipment using a flexible crystal display panel mountingstructure according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view depicting the closed state of the portableelectronic equipment using the flexible quid crystal display panelmounting structure;

FIG. 16 is a side view showing the open-up state of portable electronicequipment using a flexible liquid crystal display panel according toEmbodiment 8 of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a partial side view showing the state of a guide stopperbefore operation;

FIG. 18 is a partial side view showing the state of the guide stopperafter operation;

FIG. 19 is a side view depicting the state in which a flexible liquidcrystal display panel is mounted on conventional portable electronicequipment;

FIG. 20 is a side view showing the flexible liquid crystal display panelwhen the Portable electronic equipment is folded up; and

FIG. 21 is An enlarged diagram showing a bend in the flexible liquidcrystal display panel.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

To describe the present invention more in detail, the best mode forcarrying out the invention will be described with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the open-up state of portableelectronic equipment using flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention,FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the closed state of the portableelectronic equipment using the flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing the flexibleliquid crystal display panel mounting structure.

In FIGS. 1 through 3, reference numeral 1 denotes the main body ofportable electronic equipment (a liquid crystal display panel mountingmember), 2 a lid (a liquid crystal display panel mounting member), and 3a hinge or similar coupling means for openably and closably coupling thelid 2 to the main body 1.

Reference numeral 4 denotes one flexible liquid crystal display panelfixedly mounted on the main body 1 and the lid 2 over their entiresurface areas. This flexible liquid crystal display panel 4 has, as anintegral part of it, a touch-sensitive input operating part throughwhich data can be entered by touching, not shown. Reference numeral 4 adenotes a bend that forms in the vicinity of the coupling means 3 whenthe flexible liquid crystal display panel 4 is bent.

Reference numeral 5 denotes opposed clearance grooves opposed to both ofthe main body 1 and the lid 2 in the neighborhood of the coupling means3 to form a space for receiving the bend 4 a when the lid 2 is closed.The clearance grooves 5 are formed triangular in section and theirdepths are determined according to the curvature of the bend 4 a to beprovided. Incidentally, it is needless to say that the bend 4 a and itsvicinity of the flexible liquid crystal display panel 4 are not fixed tothe clearance grooves 5 so as to vary the curvature of the bend.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

As depicted in FIG. 3, when the lid 2 is closed, the bend 4 a of theflexible liquid crystal display panel 4 enters the clearance grooves 5,so that a sufficiently large curvature of the band can be ensured.

As described above, according to this Embodiment 1, when the lid 2 isclosed, the bend 4 a in the flexible liquid crystal display panel 4enters the clearance grooves 5 with a sufficiently large curvature;hence, it is possible to produce an effect of preventing the bend 4 afrom damage and deterioration even if the bending frequency of theflexible liquid crystal display panel 4 increases.

Furthermore, since the touch-sensitive input operating part, not shown,is an integral part of the flexible liquid crystal display panel 4, aswitching member for data entry need not be provided outside the displayscreen; hence, the surface areas of the main body 1 and the cover 2 canbe utilized to the utmost and the display screen can be made largeaccordingly.

Embodiment 2

FIG. 4 is a side view depicting a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.In the following description, the parts identical with or correspondingto those already described are identified by the same reference numeralsand no description will be repeated.

In FIG. 4, the clearance grooves 5 are each substantially semicircular(curved) in section and its radius or curvature is determined inaccordance with the curvature of the bend 4 a to be provided. Otherparts of this embodiment are the same as those of the above-describedEmbodiment 1, and hence they will not be described.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

When the lid 2 is closed, the bend 4 a in the flexible liquid crystaldisplay panel 4 enters the clearance grooves 5 with a sufficiently largecurvature.

Furthermore, since the clearance grooves 5 are substantiallysemicircular in section, the bend 4 a smoothly goes into the clearancegrooves 5 and their contact friction is decreased. This effectivelyprevents the bend 4 a from degradation and damage by friction.

As described above, according to this Embodiment 2, bend 4 a smoothlyenters the clearance grooves 5 and their contact friction can bereduced, making it possible to effectively prevent the bend 4 a fromdamage and deterioration by friction.

While the clearance grooves 5 have been described to be substantiallysemicircular in section in the above Embodiment 2, their sectionalconfiguration is not limited specifically thereto but may also be othercurved one.

Embodiment 3

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention,and in FIG. 5, only the lid 2 has the clearance groove 5 near thecoupling means 3 and its section is substantially semicircular (curved).Moreover, the radius or curvature is determined in accordance with thecurvature of the bend 4 a to be provided.

Other parts and operation of this embodiment are the same as in theabove-described Embodiment 1, and hence they will not be described.

As mentioned above, according to this Embodiment 3, it is possible toreadily meet, with one clearance groove 5, the case where the curvatureof the bend 4 a to be provided may be relative small; this brings aboutan effect of cutting the machining cost of the clearance groove 5.

Embodiment 4

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention,and in FIG. 6, the clearance groove 5 is provided so that its oppositeend portions in its lengthwise direction are not exposed onto both sideportions of the lid 2.

Since other parts and operation of this embodiment are the same as inthe above-described Embodiment 3, no description will be repeated.

As mentioned above, this Embodiment 4 produces an effect of enhancingthe appearance of the side portions of the lid 2.

Embodiment 5

FIG. 7 is a side view depicting the open-up state of portable electronicequipment using a flexible liquid crystal display panel mountingstructure according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention, FIG. 8 isan enlarged perspective view showing a stopper, FIG. 9 is a plan viewshowing the flexible liquid crystal display panel mounting structure,and FIG. 10 is a side view showing the closed state of the portableelectronic equipment using the flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure.

In FIGS. 7 through 10, reference numeral 6 denotes stoppers disposed onthe lid 2 near opposite end portions of the clearance groove 5lengthwise thereof, for preventing separation of the bend 4 a in theflexible liquid crystal display panel 4 from the clearance groove 5 whenit is bend. The stoppers 6 area each provided with an upright portion 6a planted on the lid 2 and a locking portion 6 b capable of locking theflexible liquid crystal display panel 4. In this instance, the stoppers6 are formed of a transparent or colored material. Incidentally, theposition and area of each stopper need not always be at the upperportion of the clearance groove 5. Further, the number of stoppers isnot limited specifically to the mentioned here.

On the main body 1 there is provided a stopper (a folding angle limitingmember), though not shown, to keep the lid 2 from opening in excess of180 degrees with respect to the main body 1. This stopper is intended toprevent the flexible liquid crystal display panel 4 from opening morethan 180 degrees and being broken. Accordingly, if this requirementcould be satisfied, the main body 1 and the lid 2 may be structured sothat they open more than 180 degrees relative to each other. Thisstopper may be mounted on the lid 2 or on either of the main body 1 andthe lid 2.

Since other parts and operation of this embodiment are the same as thosein the above-described Embodiment 4, no description will be repeated.

As described above, this Embodiment 5 not only produces the same effectas that obtainable with the above-described Embodiment 4 but also bringsabout an effect of preventing separation of the bend 4 a in the flexibleliquid crystal display panel 4 from the clearance groove 5 when thedisplay panel is bent, thereby enabling the bend 4 a to smoothly enterthe clearance groove 5.

Furthermore, it is possible to obtain an effect that a display image onthe flexible liquid crystal display panel can be held continuous at thepositions where the stoppers 6 are disposed.

It is also possible to obtain an effect of hiding edges of the liquidcrystal display panel.

Embodiment 6

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the open-up state of portable electronicequipment using flexible liquid crystal display panel mounting structureaccording to Embodiment 6 of the present invention, FIG. 12 is a planview showing the flexible liquid crystal display panel mountingstructure, and FIG. 13 is a side view showing the closed state of theportable electronic equipment using the flexible liquid crystal displaypanel mounting structure.

In FIGS. 11 through 13, reference numeral 7 denotes a stopper thatcouples the bend 4 a in the flexible liquid crystal display panel 4 andthe clearance groove 5 opposite thereto to prevent that the bend 4 agoes away from the clearance groove 5 when the panel is bent. Thisstopper 7 is made of a wire-like material and individual stoppers aredisposed at predetermined intervals as indicated by marks “x” in FIG.12.

Since other parts and operation of this embodiment are the same as inthe above-described Embodiment 3, no description will be repeated.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

Since the bend 4 a in the flexible liquid crystal display panel 4 iscoupled by the stopper 7 to the clearance groove 5, it is possible tokeep the bend 4 a from getting out of the clearance groove 5 when thelid 2 is closed, allowing the bend 4 a to smoothly enter the clearancegroove 5.

As described above, according to this Embodiment 6, the same effect asthat obtainable with the above-described Embodiment 3 can be obtained;in addition to this, since the stopper 7 is mounted on the back of theflexible liquid crystal display panel 4, the appearance of the displayscreen can be secured and at the same time the bend 4 a can be preventedfrom getting out of the clearance groove 5 when the flexible liquidcrystal display panel 4 is bent, producing an effect of allowing thebend 4 a to smoothly getting into the clearance groove 5.

While the stopper 7 has been described to be formed by a wire-likemember in the above Embodiment 6, it may be formed by a plate-likemember, in which case it is possible to obtain an effect of securelarger strength than in the case of using the wire-like member.

Embodiment 7

FIG. 14 is a side view depicting the open-up state of portableelectronic equipment using flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention,and FIG. 15 is a side view of the closed state of the portableelectronic equipment using the flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure.

In FIGS. 14 to 15, reference numeral 8 denotes a plate-like warppreventive member fixed to the back of the bend 4 a and connected to thestopper 7 so as to prevent warp of the bend 4 a in the flexible liquidcrystal display panel 4.

Since other parts are the same as those in the above-describedEmbodiment 6, no description will be repeated.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

The bend 4 a is in contact with the plate-like warp preventive member 8over the entire area of its one side and is connected to the stopper 7through this warp preventive member 8, and hence it is free fromwarpage.

Accordingly, distortion or the like of a display image at the portionconcerned is prevented from occurrence.

As described above, according to this Embodiment 7, the same effect asthat obtainable with the above-described Embodiment 6 can be obtained,and in addition, it is possible to prevent warpage of the bend 4 a inthe flexible liquid crystal display panel 4 and hence prevent distortionof a display image.

While the stopper 7 has been described to be formed by a wire-likemember in the above-described Embodiment 7, it may also be plate-likemember, in which case it is possible to bring about an effect to obtaina large strength than in the case of using the wire-like member.

Embodiment 8

FIG. 16 is a side view showing the open-up state of portable electronicequipment using a flexible liquid crystal display panel mountingstructure according to Embodiment 8 of the present invention, FIG. 17 isa partial side view showing the state before operation of a guidestopper, and FIG. 18 is a partial side view showing the state afteroperation of the guide stopper.

In FIGS. 16 through 18, reference numeral 9 denotes a guide stopper (astopper) that keeps the bend 4 a from getting out of the clearancegroove 5 when the panel is bent and guides the bend 4 a into theclearance groove 5 while following the movement of the bend 4 a. That isto say, this guide stopper has a transparent L-shaped locking hook 9 afor locking the bend 4 a, which is secured to the lid in a manner tofreely pivot on a hinge 10 in the clearance groove 5.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

As depicted in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the angle θ through which the lid 2is opened with respect to the main body 1 is large, that is, when theextent to which the bend 4 a enters the clearance groove 5 is small, thebend 4 a is prevented mainly by the locking hook 9a from getting out ofthe clearance groove 5.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, when the extent to which thebend 4 a enters the clearance groove 5 is large, the guide stopper 9turns into the clearance groove 5, guiding the bend 4 a to apredetermined position in the clearance groove 5 with certainty andsmoothly.

As described above, according to this Embodiment 8, it is possible toobtain an effect of guiding the bend 4 a into the clearance groove 5surely and smooth regardless of the extent to which of the bend entersthe groove.

Incidentally, when the flexible liquid crystal display panel 4 has itsmarginal edges fixed to the main body 1 and the lid 2 by a frame notshown, the frame itself serves also as the guide stopper 9; hence, thesame effect as mentioned above can be obtained even if the guide stopper9 is not provided.

While in this Embodiment 8 the opposite end portions of the clearancegroove 5 lengthwise thereof are shown to be exposed onto the both sidesof the lid 2, the appearance of the both sides can also be enhanced byforming the groove so that its both ends cannot be seen from outside.Further, although the clearance groove 5 is shown to be rectangular insection, it is not limited specifically thereto but may also besemicircular or similarly curved.

Moreover, while in the above Embodiments 1 through 8 the main body 1 andthe lid 2 have been described to be folded into two, the presentinvention is also applicable to a structure that is folded into three ormore and every product that uses the flexible liquid crystal displaypanel 4 in a bent form.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the flexible liquid crystal display panel mountingstructure is adapted so that when the liquid crystal display panelmounting members are folded, the bend in the flexible liquid crystaldisplay panel is caused to enter the clearance groove with a sufficientcurvature; hence, the structure of the present invention is useful as aflexible liquid crystal display panel mounting structure for preventingthe bend from damage and degradation even if the bending frequency ofthe flexible liquid crystal display panel increases.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting structure for a liquid crystal displaypanel comprising: a foldable liquid crystal display panel mountingmember, and a flexible liquid crystal display panel mounted on saidliquid crystal display panel mounting member across a folding portionthereof, wherein a clearance groove is provided in said liquid crystaldisplay panel mounting member proximate said folding portion to receivea bend that is formed in said flexible liquid crystal display panel byfolding of said liquid crystal display panel mounting member when saidfoldable liquid crystal display mounting member is folded.
 2. A mountingstructure for a liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1,wherein the clearance groove is provided so that opposite end portionsof said groove in a lengthwise direction are not exposed to outsidesurfaces of the liquid crystal display panel mounting member.
 3. Amounting structure for a liquid crystal display panel according to claim1, wherein a stopper for keeping the bend in the flexible liquid crystaldisplay panel from extending out of the clearance groove when thedisplay panel is folded is provided on the liquid crystal display panelmounting member.
 4. A flexible liquid crystal display panel mountingstructure according to claim 3, wherein a folding angle limiting memberis mounted on the liquid crystal display panel mounting member to limitthe folding angle of the liquid crystal display panel mounting member sothat an included angle, which is formed between the flexible liquidcrystal display panel members by the folding of the liquid crystaldisplay panel mounting member, does not exceed 180 degrees.
 5. Aflexible Crystal liquid display panel mounting structure according toclaim 3, wherein the stopper is made of a transparent material.
 6. Amounting structure for a liquid crystal display panel according to claim1, wherein a stopper is provided which couples the bend in the flexibleliquid crystal display panel and the clearance groove opposite saidpanel to prevent the bend from extending out of the clearance groovewhen the display panel is folded.
 7. A flexible liquid crystal displaypanel mounting structure according to claim 6, wherein a warp preventivemember for preventing the bend in the flexible liquid crystal displaypanel is disposed between the bend and the stopper.
 8. A flexible liquidcrystal display panel mounting structure according to claim 6, whereinthe stopper is formed by a wire-like member.
 9. A flexible liquidcrystal display panel mounting structure according to claim 6, whereinthe stopper is formed by a plate-like member.
 10. A mounting structurefor a liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein astopper is provided in the clearance groove which keeps the bend in theflexible liquid crystal display panel from extending out of theclearance groove when the display panel is folded, and which guides thebend into the clearance groove while following the movement of the bendwhen it enters the clearance groove.
 11. A flexible liquid crystaldisplay panel mounting structure according to claim 1, wherein atouch-sensitive input operating part through which data can be enteredby touching is provided as an integral part of the flexible liquidcrystal display panel.
 12. A flexible liquid crystal display panelmounting structure according to claim 1, wherein the clearance groove iscurved in section.